The biggest charity sporting event to be launched in the North-east since the Great North Run, has been announced.

The Prince's Trust is setting the target of raising enough money in the North-east to help 5,000 local unemployed young people by the end of 2008.

The event will be called The Prince's Trust Challenge Trophy and it is hoped people across the Tees Valley will get involved. The events will see two teams of sports personalities and stars of stage and screen do battle in top sporting arenas across the region, including St James' Park.

The Challenge Trophy will see North and South of the region go head-to-head under the colours of the team presidents, His Grace, The Duke of Northumberland and The Right Honourable Earl of Durham, Lord Durham.

The four events are a celebrity golf tournament at Slaley Hall in July, an all-star 20Twenty cricket match at Durham County Cricket Club, a celebrity amateur clay pigeon shoot at Mitford Hall, Northumberland in September and an all-star football match at St James' Park.

Legendary North-east athletes Steve Cram and Jonathan Edwards are just two of the celebrities taking part.

Details of the events are on the web www.princes-trust.org.uk/trophy or from 0191 497 3215.

Corporate opportunities to become a key sponsor, to take up event sponsorship packages or book places for the Amateur Golf Tournament and Shoot are also available on the same number.